In a bid to protect the eco-sensitive Taj Trapezium zone near the historic Taj Mahal in Agra, the Supreme Court has directed the Yogi Adityanath government to provide information on the trees planted in the area. According to PTI, the apex court has asked the state government to give details of the number of trees planted in and around Taj Mahal and Taj Trapezium Zone. “Why there is sudden flurry of activities in Taj Trapezium Zone and why leather industries and hotels are coming up there,” the apex court asked UP government. It has also directed the government to file before it within four weeks a vision document for protection and preservation of Taj Mahal.

The Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) referred to by the court is a 10,400 sq.km trapezium-shaped area covering the five districts of the Agra region. The TTZ comprises over 40 protected monuments including three World Heritage Sites — the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.